Poroshenko, Biden discuss Russian provocations in Crimea

This is reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Head of State.

The parties have discussed current security situation caused by provocative actions of the Russian side in the occupied Crimea and escalation in Donbas.

Ukrainian President emphasized that recent false statements of Russia about terrorist threat from Ukraine in the occupied Crimea were a hybrid provocation and another attempt to justify further Russian aggressive actions and massive repression in Crimea.

The Head of State underscored the intention of Ukraine to avoid further escalation due to unfounded accusations of Moscow.

Joseph Biden noted the efforts of the President aimed at finding the ways to settle the situation. He emphasized that the American side was closely monitoring all developments around the Crimean provocation, which is totally Russia’s responsibility.

In this context, the parties stressed the importance of preventing the opportunity for Moscow to use the Crimean situation as an apology for the apparent failure to comply with the Minsk agreements.

The interlocutors agreed that it was important to continue dialogue in the Normandy format.

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